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Month: May 2017

As per a report, IoT or Internet of Things in the Retail sector will be 35.64 Billion USD by the end of 2020. In the current landscape, the merger of technology and human sensors has uplifted the retail business and taken it to another tangent. In several lengths, IoT has assisted retailers and helped in enhancing the rhythm of their client service. What came in harmony with IoT is increased revenue which all retailers look forward to. Go ahead with this piece of information and understand how IoT has worked like stimulus for retail.

Imagine a large retail unit that serves an ever increasing customer base. How does it record the data or details about the inventory? Gone are the days when MS excel alone could lead the job. A wise solution for retail units that cater to larger customer base is IoT driven software. In the retail sector, the Internet of Things can largely help in areas like managing inventory, tracking thefts or any loss, tracking virtual payments, checking on the promotional campaigns and much more.

The ubiquity of Internet has paved way for the retailers to embrace IoT and advance their offerings. How is IoT making so quickly to the market? Components like RFID, sensors and related hardware integration are coming out to be economical. Also, with the passing time, cloud adoption is adding to the significant drivers in the market. With so many influential factors on IoT’s side, it is expected that the retail sector will thrive at large. There are other reasons as well like increasing Smartphone dependency, or enhanced demands for real-time delivery. Audience wants it quick. Across the global market, IT companies are putting relentless effort in bringing the best of IoT solutions for seamless retail operations.

Even though IoT is creating a storm in the market, the emerging technology is prone to security threats and interoperability. The components be it software or hardware are vulnerable to threats. Certainly, it is may slightly affect the IoT adoption chances. IT companies are working hard to amend high level safety frameworks into their solutions and at the same time, pitching on the internet use and enhanced mobile usage.

For any information technology company, it is integral to focus on providing IoT solutions that are safe and productive. How far is the data safe? What is the upright solution to safeguard all of it? This is what several IT companies are juggling with.

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Referred as CVD diseases or cardiovascular diseases, it includes heart attacks,peripheral artery disease and strokes majorly

As per a report, in the year 2015, approximately 9 million people got a stroke for the

Pic courtesy – Internet

first time. With the passing time, CVD has turned out to be a serious threat on a global level. Apart from heart attacks and strokes, peripheral artery disease was one among the most common diseases under the umbrella of CVD.

Across the globe, the CVD threat is reaching its alarming levels. Most of the CVD deaths come from regions such as Oceania, Central Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, South America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Xavier from Louisiana University said, “Problems like CVD are hard handle in geographies that have low income population since, they can’t afford the treatment.”

As per researchers, the rate declines in regions like Australia, Canada, the US, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, and various parts of Western Europe.

A lot depends on the social structuring of people and their incomes. In the year 2015, there were around 18 million CVD deaths recorded across the globe. Between the year 1990 and 2010, a considerable improvement was seen in high income areas but the same improvement has slowed down recent five years.

In regions like Central Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and Europe (Easter and Central), the CVD prevalence rate involved heart failure, coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral arterial disease and atrial fibrillation. The lowest rates took place in Singapore, South Korea, and southern American nations. The highest was in south Pacific island countries, Afghanistan and Iraq and lowest rates were recorded in Peru, Japan, Israel, Andorra, France, and Spain.

Depending upon the Social Demographic Index – fertility, education and income affect the CVD rate. It first goes high, then down and then increases eventually.

Ruth, a research scientist shared, “In the current scenario, both high and low income countries are suffering. The risk factors behind this rate are poor diet, high BP (blood pressure), tobacco consumption, high cholesterol, obesity and alcohol use.

As per a study, the CVD is not only hitting old but also younger population like people in their 40s. These are the people who are busy in taking care of their families and doing jobs. This also explains the fact, that they do not pay enough attention to their physical needs. So the objective should be to focus on good health that keeps alcohol, tobacco and poor diet at bay. People need to work on themselves and follow a healthy regime full of good food and exercises.

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In the current landscape when technology has deeply penetrated into our lives, it has

Pic courtesy – Internet

become impossible to stay without it. Among various verticals that are actively embracing technology, healthcare is equally leading the race. While computers, specialized equipment and advanced technology integration have made a strong presence in this vertical, Internet of Things (IoT) is making a steadfast entry as well.

IoT is an amalgamation of human sensory organs and technology. Underneath IoT is wearable technology, which is steadily becoming a part and parcel of peoples’ life. Fit Bits, Smart Gloves, Smart Clothes etc. are nothing new among people and as a matter of fact, they are adding to the efficiency levels.

As per a report, people will be using around 250 million such wearable devices in coming three years. Let’s take a look at the following 5 dominating gadgets that can make your life simpler:

Fitbit Alta HR – Loaded with good battery and stylish design, the FitBit has an upgraded software and it helps people track their fitness bit by bit.

Fitbit Charge 2 – Love working out? It is an easy-to-use tracker that keeps a watch on heart rate and calories burnt, swimming etc.

Garmin Vivomove – A smart analog watch, it is loaded with lot of functions, it tracks your sleep and also, it monitors your sleep.

Huawei Watch – Easy to pair with Android Smartphones, the watch is solid, rugged and simple. The ergonomically designed watch is a tracker that keeps a check on your activities like walking, climbing and running.

It is certain that after a certain period, the market trends will change, and another set of devices will take over. The point worth noticing is, wearable technology and health apps will keep coming in and help people in tracking their health and maintain a healthy regime. Make sure, you stay updated and healthy!

Reference taken from – http://bit.ly/1cZLceO

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“Dhai giri giri, dhai giri giri” (make it quick!), once you land in Odisha, you can hear this statement frequently. Welcome to the land of Mahapatras, Patras, Pattnaiks and other multitudes of Odiyan castes and sub castes. The state is one of the most potential, fertile, and naturally beautiful region in our country. Lush green meadow, innocent & spiritual people, Rasgulla, and never ending series of ancient temples greet you at all points. While writing a travel blog on Odisha, I realized one blog wasn’t enough. So here is the part one that solely talks about Shri Jagannath Temple – the main attraction of the state.

Shri Jagannath Temple – This temple is the reason why the entire state has a prominence across the world. Made thousand years ago, the temple has been designed and developed out of stone. Alluring, rugged and unbreakable, the temple, no matter how old, it can give a run for money to the contemporary buildings. It is said that it has been made on a framing of a sea shell. Lord Jagannath can be seen seated next to Subhadra (his sister) and Balram (his brother). Lord Jagannath is said to be a reincarnation of Sri Krishna. It is one of the Char Dhams in our country as seen by Hindu devotees.

Hindu mythology says, there 33 crore gods and goddesses and one find then at Shri Jagannath temple. Rath Yatra (chariot procession) takes place annually wherein it is considered that Shri Jagannath along with his brother and sister visit their aunt’s place that is Gundicha Temple. The wooden statues are taken on elaborate and huge temple chariots and taken to Gundicha. The festival is celebrated with huge pomp and show, and scores of people come to participate and pull the Ratha. The significance of this festival is so high that older people intentionally go under the tires of the Ratha, so that they can die, and get Nirvana. The wood of the Ratha once the festival is over, is given during funerals so that the departed soul goes to heaven.

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Inside the temple, you can find a spot where people lean awkwardly on a wall. It is said that Chaitanaya Maha Prabhu looked at the gods from this spot. His fingerprints can be felt on the wall. Cameras and leather products are not allowed inside, be careful. If you are going to Shri Jagannath temple, keep in mind a few things:

Do not fall prey to the Pandas

Eat Aghora (Food that was offered to the gods)

Offer Prasad and bring it for friends and family

Pay visit to the kitchen and go to every nook and corner of the temple

Watch flag hoisting at 5 PM

The flag hoisting ceremony takes place at the temple at 5 in the evening (everyday). One of the most unique, audacious and out-of-the-box event it is. It is said, that without changing the flags, the customary Puja can’t take place. Now here is the catch, a young priest is expected to climb (without any support) upto the peak of the temple and change it. It is an activity worth watching and you don’t get to see that anywhere. The replaced flags get sold at a price and people throng in large number to buy them no matter how expensive they are. The flag which is at the highest is priced at 20k or more. And people buy them because they are considered auspicious. If you want your flag to be hoisted, then, in the morning you are required to register your name with the committee and submit a certain amount of money. After lottery, the winner’s flag will be hoisted at the peak, and the rest of the flags will go beneath.

There is more to Lord Jagannath. In every 12 to 15 years, the statues of gods are replaced and new wooden replicas are kept. This activity is done ceremoniously and the event is called as Nabakalebara wherein a village is chosen from where wood will be retrieved. It sounds like just another change of idols but the details around it are mystical and profound. The respective priest will get a dream that will give him directions to a village from where the wood shall be retrieved. The dream is said to be detailed and elaborate one – people need to specifically go to a Neem tree from where the wood should be taken. It is said that when Lord Krishna’s body was cremated, every inch of body got burnt but not the heart. The heart is called as ‘Brahama’. It is the same heart that resides inside the idol of Shri Jagnnath. The Darus or the leaders who are the chosen one to transfer the ‘Brahma’/soul/heart and create the sculpture need to qualify to take up the duty. It is said that the Darus are blindfolded before doing the transfer (life infusion) and if not done properly, he will die instantly. It is done secretly and in complete silence. During this time, there is a complete blackout in the city of Puri.

There are a lot of mysteries associated with the temple like:

The food that is made as an offering to gods and later distributed to people never gets short in quantity or wasted

The flag always blows in opposite direction on the dome

Never does any bird fly over the dome of the temple

No one has seen the ‘Brahman’ and the transfer ceremony takes place in complete silence and dark

No one can see the shadow of the dome

That was Shri Jagannath for you. Wait till the part 2 on Odisha comes up! I will recommend that once, in a lifetime, visit Odisha. You will fall for it instantly.

Trains in India carry approximately 22 million passengers a day. Either to meet ends, or for a leisure trip, trains have always been by peoples’ side. Indian railways has gifted us not only a transport but also, a means to understand people coming from different verticals. If one wants to know Indians a little more, he or she should travel by train.

Take a look at the type of people; you come across while doing long distance train journeys.

Railway SME – Have an RAC? In waiting list? Seek his advice, he will have some solution for your plights even if non-applicable. It is worth noticing that these people find special interest in talking about tickets, platforms, duration of a train, etc. This is where these people derive their pleasure from and love talking about all things that go around trains, railways, stations and platforms.

Mr. Geography Honors – If railway SME wasn’t enough, read about his brother here. He seems to be abreast with the map of India, he knows from where the train will change its engine, and where it will change the track. Meet Mr. Geography honors who has strange affinity for figuring out the places, how the train will lead, where it will end up and much more!

That Fidgety Guy – Super restless and round the clock awake kind of a passenger. He is the only one who desperately waits for the TT, waits for the stations, is worried why the train is taking time in starting? is the engine unwell? Is anxious because the train got late…..His tensions could have been leveraged in better place but not on a poor train.

Washerwoman – Many a times, people often forget that there is a thin line of difference between a regular day at home, and a day spent in a train. They continue to spend it like usual. This washerwoman is the one who thinks sitting in a place for more than two minutes is a kind of crime so, she decides to keep shuffling between the bathroom and her seat throughout the journey. You may find her with weapons like steel utensils, her wet hands jerking suddenly on people sitting peacefully and doing some more unnecessary things. Sit quiet madam – what are tissue papers meant for?

Nature Lover – They are rare, but, they are real. They love looking outside of the train, squish their nose on the glass window, and admire the nature. They seem to be swoon over by the trees, people at the station, animals, sun and the moon. These are best people out there.

Kumbhkaran’s Fourth Generation – They book tickets only to sleep in the train. They never got sleep otherwise in their lives. Right from the beginning of the journey, they take up the upper berth and surrender themselves to a deep slumber. They get up only to eat. They may look like humans but sound like animals who sleep for most of the year and eat only to survive. But they are good people!

No – Nonsense – He is least concerned with other people traveling in the same bogie. He patiently waits for his station and doesn’t indulge in striking any conversation. There is nothing else to talk about him – seriously, no-nonsense.

The Annoying Kid – Karma always comes back to you and sometimes in the form of an annoying kind in a long journey. He wants everything from everybody – maybe the snack that you are eating. He may dangle his little feet right on your lap and peep deep inside your mobile. Silly baby! The toddler may have bandwidth of doing a lot of things that you may not even think of but then he is a silly baby. He may want to pee and poop when everything has been settled and he can’t see his mother sitting in peace. The lower berth that you got after a lot of struggle may require your sacrifice because the mother- baby duo needs lower berth and they had middle one on paper.

Food Family – The family that eats together, stays together. They bring their own kitchen, plates, spoons, bowls and inventory of snacks. If you are traveling with them, you will never stay hungry. They don’t believe in getting food from outside. It’s not about just eating. They are highly disciplined in keeping the food neat, tidy and well placed. They will first put the newspaper and cover the entire berth (this is why we publish newspaper), big bowls and hot cases will appear as lead actors, and then will appear all the side actors. Sweets have guest appearance – come and vanish. The food family passes its entire time by wrapping, unwrapping and eating. Happy people on Earth!

Singers – They are college students heading on an excursion with their teachers. They are not a bunch of students in train if they haven’t screamed at the top of their voice when a train passes through a tunnel and definitely, they are also not a bunch of students if they haven’t played Antakshri. They are also a not a bunch of college students if they haven’t eyed the pretty girl in another bogie. These things are part of the itinerary in any college trip. La-lala-lalaala!

Trains in any way are a medium to bond with fellow passengers and a way to know more about them. Of all the brands, Paper Boat (Beverages Company) has significantly contributed by reminding us of our childhood train journeys, the bookshop owner at the stations, passengers, so on and so forth with their advertising campaigns. It is due to their promotional pictures and ads that we connected again with those moments in our life, which we once, spent as a part of our routine existence.

In this fast and Smartphone driven life, when we don’t have enough time to travel, we often forget that we have come far away from that simplicity.

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Stroking her brush across the canvas, Poojita is seen busy in transforming her thoughts into a beautiful painting. Sitting in a beautiful and cozy apartment in Bangalore, a cup of hot coffee looks like her best friend and certainly, the colors. Piping hot Shakshuka has been offered to me, as I decide to have a deep conversation with Poojita Nair. A twenty something insanely gorgeous woman, she is a painter by profession, loves to do makeup and most importantly, is at peace with herself. But what makes a woman like her pursue painting.

To know more, here is an excerpt from my interview with someone who followed her heart. Read and dive into the world of painting, coloring, imagining and art.

India is a land of artists but in a society that is driven by money and status, art like painting is fading. I hardly see young people taking up painting as a main source of profession? What made you do so?

Honestly speaking career in painting is fascinating. I love the essence of expression. On the onset of my career, all I knew was colors. Other than with brushes and colors, there was no other way I could exhibit my expressions. There could be a small ratio of young men and women taking this career but they are the ones who are really serious about it. It is a land of MF Hussain, Tagore, Amrita Shergill, Raja Ravi Varma, Jamini Roy and many more. People like me take a huge inspiration from them. I wish to express human emotions through painting and take it ahead in this world of digital marketing and put my ideas into action.

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Sounds impressive! So you have been painting since you were a child?

I have been painting before I could even write (giggles). It was my natural onset and a form of expression.

Do you draw, sketch or paint or basically everything?

I don’t have a fixed regime of doing sketching, or drawing or anything. I create things that intrigue me which relate to humans. My creations are mostly about human beings and their emotions. I make sure they are deep and meaningful.

Talking of emotions, which is your favorite emotion?

Confusion (laughs). It brings out various possibilities and this excites me. Human beings are deep, complex and full of confusions – should I propose her or not? Should I take up this job or not? At every step, we are faced by confusion. Why not display the same in my work!

Interesting! Your work has a lot of bold content. Lot of people avoid exploiting such areas. Tell me something about it.

My content is about relationship with myself and other people and then my reaction towards it. It is that easy (loud laugh).

No wonder why ‘confusion’ is your favorite emotion. What is your favorite color by the way? Or do you love all?

White. And I love the way color combinations surprise me.

Any advice to the younger generation that is aching to make quick money and never thinks about what it is passionate about.

Ask yourself what is that you can do now that will make you feel good. Do it every 5 minutes. Today, I am a creative director in a gaming company. My job came to me after investing several years in painting. So, I should say I kept following my love and simply did not stick to philosophical talks. I would recommend younger people to listen to their heart and understand that skill they are blessed with, hone it and navigate it into a beautiful career.

That is some incredible two cents to people that’s running after money. Tell me, how does your family perceive your work?

When we love what we do, eventually our family starts loving it too. As long as you are not hurting anybody’s sentiments (chuckles). Don’t wait for anybody’s approval if you are following your heart. Everything will fall in place eventually.

Tell me about your job as a creative director.

My job requires me to coordinate colors for the games and give them a concept art. Then digitally implement them in various software. This way, I transform my ideas into digital art and see designers implementing them. What an exhilarating feeling it is!

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If a blissful climate is what you have been urging for, then Bangalore will quench your thirst at one go. I planned a trip to Bangalore and Mysore in the beginning of the year and the trip turned out to be the most rejuvenating one.

The next day after landing in Bangalore was dedicated to Mysore. Approximately five hours away from Bangalore, the quiet city offers lush greenery and well-planned infrastructure. Our driver who last went to school in his matriculation spoke to us in fluent Hindi despite being raised in Karnataka. The trip was planned as per his expert inputs. Following were the attractions we had a brush with:

1. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple – On the way to Mysore, we came across places like Ramnagra where Sholey, the cult Hindi film was shot (now, I can die in peace), and Channapatna where wooden toys are made. We dropped at Shri Ranganatha temple or Sri Ranganathaswamy temple in Rangapattana before heading to Mysore. There is something unique about South Indian temples, which puts them in a different bracket of beauty, charm, and peace.
The architecture has always lured me to keep my eyes glued at the temples. This temple has lord Vishnu in his sleeping position which is rare in Hindu temples. Don’t forget to checkout the Ratha outside the temple for its intricate design. Trust me, it is hard to find such minute detailing elsewhere.

2. Ruins of Tipu Sultan – Close to Sri Rangapattana Temple, there are ruins of the palace of Tipu Sultan. When I say ruins, unfortunately, everything is dead. It is just the name and you may not be able to differentiate between a deserted land and a place with broken rocks lying here and there. We did check the burial ground (the tombstone says – he was found here) of the emperor, which still looks decent. When he was attacked by British army, he said, “Better to live one day as a tiger than a thousand years as a sheep”.

3. The Palace of Mysore – Spectacular beyond words or I should say it is an understatement. Scattered across a large mass of land, the palace belongs to the Wodiyars/Wadiyars, the royal family that ruled Mysore. Every nook and corner is strictly supervised by policemen. Spick and span, the palace gives you a glimpse of their lifestyle, grandeur, art and culture preferences. Their furniture still dazzles and they are taken care of with utmost precision. Apart from the chandeliers, furniture, idols, utensils and much more that you may stick to inside the palace, do take a vivid look at the photographs of the family and its lineage. Inside the palace, there is a temple called, Sri Lakshmiramaswamy Temple which is another attraction to look at. The yellow tint on the architecture, women making Laddoos, Holy Basil plant and some more things will give you peace. Not sure if others found windows beautiful but I did notice that the windows were designed in smaller sizes mostly with red color, they looked exceptionally earthy and idyllic.

The Wadiyars were cursed – they could never bear their own biological child and this is why they went on for adoption. The untimely death of his highness Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wodeyar has certainly brought questions to the entire Wadiyar dynasty but the palace still continues to glow in its own allure. His wife, son and daughter in law reside in the extended section of the palace.

Once, you are out, take a look at the Sandalwood products like perfumes, Sandalwood paste, Sandalwood bark, incense sticks, and others available at the shops in the campus. After Mysore Palace, we dived into Mysore Masala Dosa, Mysore Pak and curd rice.

4. Chamundi Hills and Chamundeshwari Temple – We headed towards Chamundi Hills which is easily accessible by cars and other means of transport. On the way to the hills, we came across Sandalwood trees which Mysore is known for (you don’t get to see Sandalwood trees everywhere, I can die in peace again).

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Above the hills, is the magnificent Chamundeshwari Temple where the Wadiyars used to come and offer their prayers. Chamundeshwari or Durga, the Wadiyars were highly devoted to the goddess. It is also one of the 18 Shakti Peethas in the country. Thronged in high frequency by fellow Kannadigas, the temple is also attended by a large number of visitors from others parts of the country and abroad. And also, monkeys. There are several shops near the temple where you can buy photographs of the goddess, Kumkum, Prasad, necklaces, toys, etc.

5. Mysore Zoo and St. Philomena’s Cathedral – We couldn’t visit the zoo as it was closed but if you get an opportunity, do tell me how it was. Our trip ended with a small visit to St. Philomena’s Cathedral. Built in Neo-Gothic style, the giant church was built by the Wadiyars – Maharaja Mummadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar. Coming back from Mysore and not buying Mysore Silk is a sin that cannot be forgiven. Do buy a silk saree, Sandalwood bark, incense sticks, idols and perfumes. You may find them slightly expensive but you can give it a shot as the purest form will not be available anywhere else.

Mysore, in all honesty, was a refreshing treat and I would recommend everybody to travel once here.